Multicylinder rotary internal-combustion engine for aeroplanes and the like.



W. K. DALZELL. I MULTICYLINDER ROTARY INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE FOR AEROPLANES AND'THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 4. 1915'. l

W Patented June 25,1918.

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W. K DALZELL.

MULTICYLINDER- ROTA R YINTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE FOR AEROPLANES AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 4, I915.

LWMJOI Patented June 25, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

HESIIMIL W KDaIzeII. Invemor ITIil Thad FATIIT WILLIAM KENNETH DALZELL, OF BARGALDINE, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA.

MULTICYLINDER ROTARY INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE FOR AEROPLANES AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 4, 1915. Serial No. 59,509.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM KENNETH 'DALZELL, a subject of the King of Great like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in multi-cylinder rotary internal combustion engines such as are ordinarily used for aeroplanes and the like. In the inulticylinder rotary engines as used at present the cylinders are afiixed to a drum or crank case resting on journals on the crank shaft, the latter being held stationary in the frame of the aeroplane, the cylinders revolving on their journals. In the usual four cycle principle of operation, each cylinder receives an impulse from the explosion every second revolution. Thus with a four cylinder engine two explosions occur every revolution.

In an engine constructed in accordance with my invention both the drum to which the cylinders are bolted, and the crank shaft are rotatable, the drum, supporting the cylinders, being journaled in bearings carried in the frame of the engine while the crank shaft is journaled in bearings carried in the end of the drum. The cylinders are connected to the crank shaft through a train of bevel wheels in such a way that for each turn in any direction of the former, the latter revolves a turn in the opposite direction. In thisxway although the cylinders revolve a given number of revolutions in respect to the stationary frame of the machine, they revolve twice that number with respect to the crank shaft. In this manner with a four cylinder engine four explosions occur every revolution, and thereby the power obtained from my engine is largely in excess of that obtained from any engine of the same size as at present in use.

Referring to the drawings hereto annexed in which the same reference numerals indicate the same parts wherever they occur 2- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a multicylinder rotary internal combustion engine made according to my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 is a detail view showing on an enlarged scale the construction of certain parts illustrated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the engine on the line of the crank shaft axis.

Fig. f is an enlarged view of one of the end bearings of the crank shaft showing the gas ducts therein.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the gearing between the cylinders and the crank shaft and the bearing adjacent thereto.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section showing the means of attaching the connecting rods to the crank shaft.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of same.

1, 2, 3, and 4 are the cylinders which are connected to the drum 5 by means of their lower ends passing through sleeves and proecting into and being bolted to said drum 5. The cylinders, 1, 2, 3, and 4:, are, as illustrated, spaced at equal distances apart circumferentially, while each pair of cylinders, v z: 1 and 3 and 2 and 4, are placed opposite their respective cranks 6 and 7 on the crank shaft 8, as shown more clearly in Fig. 3, where the cylinders 2 and 4 are directly opposite the crank 7, while the cylinders 1 and 3 (the latter not shown in that figure) are opposite the crank 6. Thus two con-' necting rods 38 are journaled on each crank as is usual with cylinders placed in opposition. The drum 5 revolves on ball bearings 9 which are supported on projections 10 formed on the side of the drum. .Theball bearings 9 are carried in the frame member 19 on one side and 37 on the other side. To the said drum 5 on one side thereof is bolted a bevel gear wheel 11 which gears with one Patented June 25, 191$.

or more wheels 12 turning on idler axles 44;

in a chamber 13 affixed to the stationary frame member 37 formed to receive it. The idler axles of the wheels 12 are supported at their inner ends by bearings 47 fitted into sleeve 32.

This wheel 12 again gears with a wheel 14 keyed to the crank shaft 8. Consequently for every revolution of the bevel gear wheel 11 in one direction, the wheel 14 moves one revolution in the reverse direction. crank shaft 8, at the end to which the bevel wheels before mentioned are fitted, passes through a sleeve 32 which is held stationary by being bolted to the member 37 of the The haust valves are fixed to the stationary sleeve and lift the valves in-rotation. The bevel geared wheels 11,12, and 14 hold the .eylinders1,2,3, and 1 and the crank shaft 8 ,in their respective positions, and also when in motion transmit the power from theisaid cylinders to crank shaft 8. One of the pinion wheels 12 has connected to it an ,extendedshaft 28 which drives the magneto 17 whichis secured to the stationary frame member 37 of the enginelnorder to sup- ,ply theeylinders 1, 2, 3,,and t with petrol .2 thebearingon one side is formed as shown in Fig. 4:. v The crankshaft 8 passes through the projection 10 of the drum 5 and runs Honball'bearingsl5heldby the said axle and a recess 16 formed in the drum 5. 18'is a carbureter vvhich is fitted to one of the stationary-members of the engine or the frame .member 19. Through the said carbureter the airand ,petrol constituting the explosive mixture ,are drawn in and pass therefrom through pipe 20 to thebearing referred to -;w hich. is formed with a hollow casing 21 leading-to ducts 22 bolted inside on to one -.end, of the drum 5. The said ducts 22 lead radially ltotransverse pipes 23 conveniently yfitted to the inside of the drum 5 and so ,arranged that the branches 2 1 maybe taken off ,as at 25 ;to feed the cylinders through the inlet valvee 26 at the heads thereof. The

pipes'23 also act as tie bolts and hold the ends of the drum together, as shown clearly in Figs. 2.and-2 ,the latter figure also show- '-,ing.the manner in which the pipes 23 are -.connected-.to the ducts. 22.

The exhaust valves 27 are operated by means of cams 29 and voneor more radial rockers 30-.fitted .to and working in the end of the drum directly under the exhaust valves of cylinders 2 and 4 inthe usual manner.

The exhaust valves of cylinders 1 and 3am operated by means .of double rockers 31 (shown dotted in Fig. 2) which are fastened to the inside shell of the drum 5. The inlet valves 26 are placed ....the magneto is led along one of the sta-' immediately above the exhaust valves 27. The distributer wire 33 from .ztionary members to the terminal v34E which islmadetdcontact with a ,fiber or similarly insulated distributer 35 connected by radial wires to the various sparking plugs 36. The whole-engine is supported on each side by dong .andwide arms 19 and 137 with ball "bearings 9 in each for the drum projec- ;tions 10 torevolve on, the ends of the arms being held in position by cross pipes 39.

speeds than at high speeds.

power per pound weight. gine both these results are obtained as it gives twice the power of the usual type of Each pair of piston rods 38 connect on the center of their respective cranks immediately opposite each other by the end of one overlapping the other as indicated at 40. 41 is the pipe for supplying oil to the cylinders cranks and inner Workings. This pipe is fastened into the end of the drum casing and connects with the drum axle 8 and passes through a stufiingbox 42 from the oil cup and force pump 43. M is the handle for advancing or retarding the magneto spark and whichhandle passes through pipe 39. Through the said pipe also passes the insulated wire 33 from the magneto to theterminal 34.. a5 is the handle operating the carburetor 18.

- By my invention twice the relative movement of the cylinders and crank shaft is obtained for a given number of revolutions of either, and thereby twice the power from a given size of engine is obtained. It is well known that higher efliciency is obtained with air propellers operated at medium sirable to obtan from an engine the greatest- With my enengine of the same size, and also drives the propeller at its most efficient speed.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:--

1. A rotaryengine comprising a plurality of rotating cylinders, a drum integral with said cylinders, a hollow easing forming a bearing for said drum, transverse pipes on the inside of said drum, said drum having ducts communicating with said hollow casing and with said transverse pipes, inlet valvesfor said cylinders, and further pipes communicating with said transverse pipes and with said inlet valves.

2. A rotary engine comprising a plurality of rotating cylinders, a drum integral with said cylinders, a hollow casing forming a bearing for said drum, transverse pipes on the inside of said drum, said drum having ducts communicating with said hollow casing and with said transverse pipes, inlet valves for said cylinders, further pipes communicating with said transverse pipes and with said inlet valves, a transverse power shaft having one bearing in the drum, a support for said engine, said shaft having its otherbearing in said support, a gear integral with said shaft, an opposing gear integral with said drum and an intermeshing gearmounted on said support, said intermeshing gear connected to a current generator.

3. A rotary engine comprising a plurality of rotating cylinders, a drum integral with said cylinders, a hollow casing forming a bearing for said drum, transverse pipes on the inside of said drum, said drum having ducts communicating with said hollow cas- It is also de.

ing and with said transverse pipes, inlet In testimony whereof have signed my valves for said cylinders, further pipes comname to this specification 1n the presence of municating with said transverse pipes and two subscribing witnesses.

with said. inlet valves, a transverse power WILLIAM KENNETH DALZELL. 5 shaft and a current generator having a dif- Witnesses:

ferential planetary connection with said ALTER S. BAYS'ION,

shaft and said drum. I FRANK BAYSTON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of JPetents es M, e. W 

